The ban clamped on the Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) was lifted by the Delhi High Court Tribunal on Tuesday, August 5, 2008.  The Delhi HC stated lack of a concrete reason for the ban’s continuance as the ground for its withdrawal. A ban was imposed on SIMI in 2006 and it was charged with participation in anti-India activities.

It was in 2001 that SIMI was banned for the first time under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Reports from the intelligence agencies indicated that its members were joining the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) based in Pakistan and that SIMI was also offering support in setting up of ‘sleeper cells’ in India.

Since then, ban was slapped on SIMI every two years. The last one was introduced in February, 2006. This time, the Delhi HC Tribunal said that the material which the Home Ministry provided was inadequate for letting the ban continue. A 267 page statement, therefore, was released by Judge Geeta Mittal for removing the SIMI ban. The Home Ministry has stated that it will approach the SC on this issue.